November 1, 2005
The Vision Thing
By Michael J. Sanders

Our local election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8th . Both Democrats and Republicans have called it the most important one in the past 20 years. Killingworth is at a crossroads and the decisions we make on Election Day will affect our town and our families for decades to come.

Killingworth is a small but growing town. We are building a new middle school; sub-divisions are sprouting up all over; traffic is increasing on our roads daily. We have serious choices to make. It is time for our residents and representatives to ask, "Where are we going? How much can we afford? What kind of town do we want Killingworth to be a decade from now?"

Issues such as maintaining the rural character of the town, open space acquisition, and managing growth are a part of "the big picture" that will determine where we are in ten years. It's the vision thing. Making town government more responsive to its residents; building and maintaining recreational facilities; supporting our library; dealing with the burden of the property taxes; these are the detailed issues that need to be openly and competently addressed to achieve that desired vision.

We brought these concerns to you in late spring in an Eye titled "Where We Stand." The Killingworth Democratic Town Committee has called for prudent planning and focused leadership again and again. The opposition has run Killingworth for the past 16 years and has not dealt effectively with these issues although they apparently believe they have. In their own words, "The Killingworth Republicans have a long and storied tradition of providing the successful farsighted and fiscally responsible leadership that has successfully guided our community for the past two decades" we stand ready once more and prepared once more to assume this role."

A seemingly unfocused drift has emanated from Town Hall. It is time for a change. The candidates on the Democratic slate are ready to tackle the tough issues under the umbrella of a vision for Killingworth that we can all share. We will not pretend important issues do not exist and we will not avoid making the decisions necessary to resolve them. There is serious work to be done. We are ready to roll up our selves, man the First Selectman's office full time, and work as a team.

With our fellow townspeople, the Democratic slate will work to move Killingworth toward a future that honors its past and ensures it future for everyone. That is our promise and our vision thing.

( For more about the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee visit our website at www.killingworth.dems.info)